Posted on the 11th December 2017
The Amersham Museum was recently awarded a grant from the Paradigm Foundation. We caught up with the museum to check out how things are going since re-opening on 12 July.
The museum is going from strength to strength and has welcomed over 6,000 visitors – the highest number since opening in 1991! Not only that but they are getting excellent feedback from those who visited. “Absolutely fantastic, it is one of the most interesting museums we have ever visited” “Enjoyed our visit to this wonderful interactive museum where you are positively encouraged to touch things!”
The Paradigm Foundation grant has helped to refurbish the exhibitions spaces, provide better exhibition lighting and new display cases, and build a larger storage area for arts resources, furniture and a small kitchen.
On entering the museum you are met by a timeline that explores events from Amersham’s past. The ‘Market Town to Metro-land’ display focuses on five key dates and provides a real insight into the daily lives of the people who lived there – all brought to life by objects, photos, recordings and maps.
As well as the revamped museum boosting visitor numbers, there’s been more interest from people wishing to volunteer. Volunteer numbers have increased by 25% with people of all ages from school age to retired.
More activities and events…
The grant has enabled exciting activities to take place such as:
•An after-school art club for children aged 7-11
•Craft workshops for families
•Reminiscence and memory box sessions for older people
•School visits for primary aged children
•A hugely popular and nostalgic Dinky Toy collection
•Christmas Fair
Emily Toettcher, Curator of Amersham Museum, said: “Thank you again for the Paradigm Foundation’s support for this ambitious project. It’s been transformative having the new space; we are able to do so much more for a much wider group of people. We have created some lovely exhibitions too and have some really exciting plans for 2018.”
Amongst the activities planned for 2018 are a watercolour exhibition by local artist Caroline Richardson, the history of the Chiltern Toy factory and the commemoration of the centenary of the end of WW1.
Why not check out what’s on by visiting Amersham Museum’s website here?
Apply for a grant here.
Posted 02 Aug 2019
A £5,000 grant from Paradigm Foundation has enabled Road Farm Countryways in Great Missenden to improve their facilities and continue the vital work that they do helping young people with learning difficulties to thrive and...
Posted 26 Jun 2019
These lovely thank you letters have been received from children at Wooburn Green Primary School for the grant of £4,953 the Paradigm Foundation provided for their Forest School initiative.
